8 Simple Eating Habits to Help Curb Excess Snacking
Is it snack o’clock again?
You may find that snack o’clock is more regular than usual during these funny times at home. Snacking may seem like good distraction from what is going on around us. However, in order to keep our mental and physical health in check, it’s important we still take care of what we are eating and how much. Eating lot’s of fresh healthy food can make the world of difference to your wellbeing during these uncertain times.
That’s why we’ve provided you with some small healthy food habits to be incorporated into your daily routine.
8 Simple Healthy Eating Habits:
1. Stick to an eating routine
We recommend sticking to 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. Having some sort of structure with your daily eating will help to prevent mindless snacking, overeating and eating when you’re not hungry.
2. Beat boredom snacking by finding something else to do
Every hour may feel like snack o’clock right now. But, we need to be mindful of how much we are eating compared to how much we are moving. Instead of snacking, make a cup of tea, go for a walk, find something to read or give someone a call.
3. Reduce the amount of pre-packaged foods and snacks high in sugar, fat and added salts.
Try to avoid junk food when you are doing you’re grocery shopping – if it’s sitting there, you’re more likely to eat it! Instead stock up on fruit, veggie sticks, wholegrain crackers, low-fat cheese, nuts, seeds and yoghurt.
4. Aim for at least 5 handfuls of colourful vegetables a day
We know eating lots of veggies is one of the best things we can do for our health and weight management. Try to actively keep track of how many colours and how many handfuls of veggies you are eating each day. Make it a daily goal.
5. Make a double batch of your meals so you have lunch the next day
By simply doubling your dinner recipes, you will have a healthy meal waiting for you for lunch the next day (or couple of days depending how many people you are cooking for). This will also stop you from grazing and snacking for lunch instead of eating a proper meal!
6. Swap white bread, wraps, pasta and rice for brown varieties
Why do we keep pushing for brown varieties? Because of Fibre! Wholegrains have lots of fibre which help to keep you full, help with weight management, help feed your gut bacteria and have lots of other protective affects in your body.
7. Need something sweet? have yoghurt, fruit and honey
Although eating healthy foods with lots of fibre with a good balance of protein and healthy fats can help prevent cravings, sometimes we just need something sweet after a meal. And that’s okay. Just try to choose sweet foods that are still wholesome and nourishing. Yoghurt, fruit and a dash of honey will satisfy your sweet cravings as well as keep you full, putting those cravings to an end.
8. Drink more water
80% of Australians don’t drink enough water and in fact are dehydrated, without even realising it! Feeling tired, having low energy levels and cravings are all symptoms of dehydration. So to help reduce snacking we recommend drinking more water. Aim for around 2 Litres.
Check out this week’s super healthy recipe that could be breakfast, dessert or a snack!
Brekkie Banana Split
Serves: 2 Time: 15mins or 5mins with granola pre-made Cost: $4 approx. ($2/serve)
Ingredients:
Granola (makes ½ cup):
- ¼ cup oats
- ¼ cup mixed nuts and seeds
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp olive oil
Banana split:
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup greek yoghurt
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- drizzle of honey
Method:
- Preheat oven to 170oC
- Mix oats, nuts, seeds, honey and olive oil then place on baking tray
- Bake for 10 mins
- Microwave raspberries for 60-90 seconds or until defrosted
- Mash raspberries with a fork
- Spit bananas lengthways
- Spoon over ¼ cup yoghurt on each banana
- Drizzle honey over yogurt, spoon over raspberries then sprinkle granola.